Die casting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A die casting apparatus wherein the object to be formed includes laterally located depressions within its peripheral surface. The depressions are formed by inwardly protruding elements located within the mold cavity. To effect ejecting of the molded object from the mold cavity, the protruding elements are moved laterally outward from the molded object while accomplishing the longitudinal ejecting movement of the molded object.

United States Patent 191 Davis June 26, 1973 DIE CASTING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Dalton M. Davis, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Pyramid Enterprises, Inc., Torrance,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Oct. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 191,756

[52] US. Cl. 164/347 [51] Int. Cl B22d 29/04 [58] Field of Search 164/347 [5 6] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,210,176 9/1959 France 164/347 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-John E. Roethel Attorney-Jack C. Munro [5 7 ABSTRACT A die casting apparatus wherein the object to be formed includes laterally located depressions within its peripheral surface. The depressions are formed by inwardly protruding elements located withinthe mold v cavity. To effect ejecting of the molded object from the mold cavity, the protruding elements are moved laterally outward from the molded object while accomplishing the longitudinal ejecting movement of the molded object.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIEUmzs ms Fig. I.

Fig. 2.

DIE CASTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention relates to apparatus to effect the molding of metallic objects, more particularly to the die casting of an object with lateral depressions while easily accomplishing ejecting of the molded object from the mold.

Die casting of metallic objects is generally quite desirable due to the following advantages: 1. High production rates; 2. Extremely close tolerances can be achieved; 3. The object can include extremely thin sections which can be satisfactorily produced; 4. Excellent surface finish; 5. The overall object has increased strength due to rapid cooling rate. However, heretofore the one primary disadvantage of the injection type of ide casting apparatus is that the object design must be such as to permit the resultant casting to be ejected from the mold cavity.

The normal ejecting procedure is that, after separating the mold, the molded object is moved longitudinally from the ejector side of the mold permitting the object to be grasped by the operator and removed. However in the past, if the mold included the forming of lateral depressions within the molded object, the resultant.

formed object could not be removed from the mold cavity by mere single direction longitudinal movement.

Therefore, it has been common that if the molded object includes lateral depressions, then some other form of molding process is employed rather than the die casting technique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ments are located within a guide block assembly within the lower half of the mold. The protruding elements have produced lateral depressions within the molded part. It is necessary to effect lateral outward movement of the guide block assembly in order to remove the molded part from the lower half of the mold. The guide block assembly is connected through an inclined rod assembly to an ejector plate. The ejector plate also includes an ejector pin assembly which is to contact the molded part. An ejector pin is also to be in contact with the guide block assembly. Upon longitudinal ejecting movement forcing the molded part out of the lower mold cavity, the guide block assembly, during the longitudinal movement, is caused to move laterally out-.

ward due to the inclined rod assembly..Th'e inclined rod assembly is guided in a lineal direction within openings BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the lower molding element of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a view of the mold cavity of the upper molding element of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view through the molding DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE'SHOWN EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 the lower mold element 10 which is basically box-like in configuration and includes a mold cavity 12. The'mold cavity 12 is shown to be substantially circular in configuration and is to form the back section of a ve" hicle wheel spider. The spider is to be defined as that portion of a vehicle wheel which is centrally located with respect to the rim.

It has been found that if the spider portion is formed of a non-ferrous metal such as aluminum or magnesium, the spider is more receptive to styling as by chrome plating than the steel spider. The non-ferrous metal, in liquid form, is conducted within the-mold cavity 12 and permitted to harden into the molded part 30. The molded part 30 is then removed with the apparatus of this invention being reused to effect production of another molded part.

For a more detailed description of the vehicle wheel spider for which the apparatus of this invention is to be employed, reference may be had to US. Pat. application Ser. No. 93,724, filed Nov. 30', 1970', entitled, VE- HICLE WHEEL APPARATUS, by the present inventor. It is to be understood that the apparatus of this informed within the lower mold element. Transverse sliding movement occurs between the guide block assembly and the ejector pins located in direct contact therevention, while it is intended to be employed to produce vehicle wheel spiders, may be employed to produce numerous other molded part designs.

Secured to the lower mold element 10 are a plurality of aligning pins 14. Also located within the lower mold element 10 are a plurality of aligning apertures 16. Each of the pins 14 are adapted to snugly fit within an aligning aperture 18 within the upper mold element 20. Also secured to the upper mold element 20 are a plurality of aligning pins 22. Each of the aligning pins 22 are to matingly cooperate within an aligning aperture 16.

Formed within the upper mold element 20 is an upper mold cavity 24. The mold cavity 24 is formed into the shape of the front surface of the vehicle wheel spider.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings where the upper mold element 20 is located upon the lower mold element 10 so that the pins 14 cooperate within the apertures l8 and the pins22 cooperate within the apertures. 16, the'mold elements fit together to form a molding apparatus. The mold cavities l 2'and 24 cooperate to form an overall cavity which will result in the molded part 30 of the vehicle wheel spider. The hub of the spider is formed by upstanding rod 26 which is fixedly mounted'upon the lower mold element 10. A- similar rod 28 is secured to the upper mold element 20 and is adapted. to extend therefrom to contact the rod 26 when the mold elements 10 and 20 cooperate together as shown in FIG. 3. The shorter upstanding rod 40 is adapted to form a lug bolt aperture 39 within the molded part. There are to be a plurality of upstanding rods 40 with each rod 40 being fixedly secured to the lower mold element 10.

After the molded part is formed with the mold elements l and 20 cooperating together as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, it is desired to effect removal of the molded part 30 after such as cooled into a hardened mass. The upper mold element 20 is removed from the lower mold element in a conventional manner. Easy and quick removal of the molded part 30 is prevented due to the lateral depressions 32 formed by the laterally extending protrusions 34. In order to remove the molded part 30 from the cavity 12, the following described disassociation means is to be employed to disassociate the protrusions 34 from the molded part 30.

An ejector plate 36 is located beneath the lower mold element 10 and has secured thereto a plurality of ejector pins 38. The ejector pins 38 extend through appropriate apertures within the lower mold element 10 and directly contact the molded part 30.

It is desired that there be twelve in number of the depressions 32 located in groups of three about the molded part 30. Each group of depressions is to be formed by three in number of the protrusions 34 which are fixedly mounted within a guide block 42. Each of the guide blocks 42 are to interfit within the lower mold element 10. Each guide block 42 isfixedly secured to a rod 44. Each of the rods 44 are slidingly mounted within an inclined opening 46 formed within the lower mold element 10. The location of each of the openings 46 is such that each rod 44 is inclined in respect to the openings provided for the ejector pins 38. The free end of each of the rods 44 is secured by means of a pin 48 to the ejector plate 36.

A single ejector pin 38 is to contact each guide block 42. The ejector pin arrangement causes the guide blocks 42 to move longitudinally synchronous with the molded part 30.

The operation of the molding apparatus of this invention is as follows: It will be presumed that hot liquid metal has been conducted through appropriate aper tures (not shown) to within the cooperating mold cavities 12 and 24, thereby forming the molded part 30. It will also be presumed that with the molded part 30 having been formed, that the upper mold element has been moved out of association with the lower mold element 10, thereby exposing the molded part 30. The operator then through appropriate hydraulic actuating apparatus (not shown) causes the ejector plate 36 to be moved in respect to ejector base 50. As a result, the ejector pins 38 cause the molded part 30 to be moved out of the mold cavity 12. Also, the guide blocks 42 are moved away from the lower mold element 10 the same amount as the movement of the molded part 30. However, each of the guide blocks 42 are caused to move outwardly due to the inclination of the rods 44. During this lateral outward movement of each of the guide blocks 42, each guide block 42 slidingly moves with respect to its particular ejector pin 38.

With the molded part 30 being located in the fully extended position as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the protrusions 34 are completely disassociated from the depressions 32. As a result, the protrusions 34 do not traction of the ejector plate 36 occurs until the plate 36 is located adjacent ejector base 50. The upper mold element 20 is then relocated upon the lower mold element 10 with the resulting arrangement in position to form another molded part 30.

What is claimed is:

1. In a die casting apparatus formed of an upper element and a lower element, said elements to cooperate to form a mold cavity, ejection means connected to said lower element to eject the molded part from said mold cavity, said ejection means including a base and a plurality of ejector rods extending therefrom, said ejector rods extending through first openings within said lower element, said ejection means movable to an extended position to eject said molded part, said movement of said ejection means being substantially lineal and substantially along the longitudinal axis of said molded part, the longitudinal axis of said ejector rods being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said molded part, forming means connected to said lower element including at least one protruding element to form a substantially lateral depression within said molded part, disassociation means connected to said protruding element, said disassociation means including:

said lower element having a second opening formed therein, the longitudinal axis of said second opening being inclined relative to the direction of movement of said ejection means; I

a guide rod located within said second opening; and

a guide block fixed to said protruding element, said guide block being movably mounted within said lower element, said guide rod being connected to said guide block and said base, said disassociation means to locate said protruding element laterally displaced from said molded part with said ejection means in said extended position. i

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a said ejector rod to contact said guide block to effect movement of such during movement of said ejection means to said extended position, said guide block to move relative to its respective said ejector rod.

3. The apparatusas defined in claim 2 wherein:

said relative movement between said guide block and its said respective ejector rodbeing lineal, said respective ejector rod sliding upon a surface of said .guide block.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein:

. there being four in number of said guide blocks, said guidblocks being equidistantly spaced apart about said molded part. 

1. In a die casting apparatus formed of an upper element and a lower element, said elements to cooperate to form a mold cavity, ejection means connected to said lower element to eject the molded part from said mold cavity, said ejection means including a base and a plurality of ejector rods extending therefrom, said ejector rods extending through first openings within said lower element, said ejection means movable to an extended position to eject said molded part, said movement of said ejection means being substantially lineal and substantially along the longitudinal axis of said molded part, the longitudinal axis of said ejector rods being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said molded part, forming means connected to said lOwer element including at least one protruding element to form a substantially lateral depression within said molded part, disassociation means connected to said protruding element, said disassociation means including: said lower element having a second opening formed therein, the longitudinal axis of said second opening being inclined relative to the direction of movement of said ejection means; a guide rod located within said second opening; and a guide block fixed to said protruding element, said guide block being movably mounted within said lower element, said guide rod being connected to said guide block and said base, said disassociation means to locate said protruding element laterally displaced from said molded part with said ejection means in said extended position.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: a said ejector rod to contact said guide block to effect movement of such during movement of said ejection means to said extended position, said guide block to move relative to its respective said ejector rod.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said relative movement between said guide block and its said respective ejector rod being lineal, said respective ejector rod sliding upon a surface of said guide block.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein: there being four in number of said guide blocks, said guid blocks being equidistantly spaced apart about said molded part. 